Terry William Prater
Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army

On 5 August 2004, then-Staff Sergeant Terry William Prater was serving as a Team Leader for RED Platoon, Company C, 1st Battalion, 1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry Regiment, Task Force 1-9 Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

On that day, SSG Prater’s unit was engaged in combat action against enemy forces. SSG Prater’s courage, dedication to mission accomplishment and outstanding performance that day earned him the U.S. Army's third highest award for valor, the Silver Star Medal.

SSG Prater earned the Silver Star during his 1st tour of duty in Iraq. He was killed in action on his 2nd tour when an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated near his unit during combat operations in Baghdad, Iraq. At the time of his death, SSG Prater's brother was stationed in Afghanistan where he was serving with the 82d Airborne Division.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Silver Star Medal
Purple Heart
Army Commendation Medal
Army Achievement Medal
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal with 2 Bronze Stars
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Army NCO Professional Development Ribbon
Army Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon
Combat Infantryman Badge

Silver Star Medal Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Terry William Prater, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Team Leader for RED Platoon, Company C, 1st Battalion, 1st Battalion, 153d Infantry Regiment, Task Force 1-9 Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division, during combat operations in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, on 5 August 2004 in Iraq. Sergeant Prater's courage, dedication to mission accomplishment and outstanding performance during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM II is in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the Headhunter Task Force, 3d GREYWOLF Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, the Multi-National Corps Iraq, and the United States Army.

Inurnment

The cremains of Staff Sergeant Terry William Prater are inurned at Green Hills Memorial Gardens in Middlesboro, Bell County, KY, in the Veteran's Niche.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/203434157/terry-w_-prater